2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

The INNER COASTAL MOUNTAINS of NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BEAR VALLEY and INDIAN VALLEY REGIONS

Part II

This small meadow had many different aspects. The upper margins were rocky, somewhat dry, and bordered by dense chaparral shrubbery. Near the center and at the lower edges the meadow still held a considerable amount of moisture in the soil. Some parts were almost swampy.

Large colonies of Wyethia angustifolia were in bloom in the upper, drier portions of the meadow.



Wyethia angustifolia is one of three Wyethia species that grow in this region. Wyethia angustifolia is the last species to bloom in the spring. Sometimes there are late flowers on Wyethia helenioides and the two species will sometimes hybridize with each other.



Also occupying drier sections of the meadow were mats of Astragalus rattenii var. jeponianus. Earlier in the season I found this species growing in Bear Valley. I was very pleased to see it in this meadow.



Both Calochortus luteus and C. superbus grew in the dry upper parts of the meadow. Many of the plants appeared true-to-type, however the were also hybrids present.



A good portion of the central part of the meadow was very moist, almost swampy. Mimulus guttatus thrives in such conditions. The Mimulus shared this niche with Juncus xiphioides and Carex various species.

[Robert]

In late March when I first visited this meadow Viola douglasii was in full bloom. This day, with some difficulty, I was able to find many of the same plants. The plants were not dormant yet, but in many locations the annual grasses had grown much taller and thicker that I had expected.



Back in the shade of the chaparral shrubbery I found a small colony of Castilleja applegatei ssp. martinii. Within a small area I found 3 different perennial Castilleja species, not to mention some distinct color forms and other variations. Under such conditions, it is understandable that there is a considerable amount of hybridization taking place between the different species and that identification can sometimes be problematic.



At the edge of the meadow there was a pleasant view of Bear Valley.



I spent a considerable amount of time recording the diverse selection of plant species in the meadow, however there was new territory that I wished to explore. It was now time to hike to another set of clearings up near the ridge crest. Castilleja foliolosa grew abundantly in this dry, rocky terrain.



The upper clearing and slopes were very dry and rocky. Calochortus superbus seemed to prefer these areas. Calochortus luteus and C. splendens were absent from these sites.

[Robert]

In some locations sheets of Clarkia concinna ssp. concinna covered dry, semi-shaded banks. They were a very beautiful sight.



Malacothrix floccifera was just one of many Asteraceae species blooming in this area.



Many of the chaparral trees and shrubs were coming into bloom. The large white flower trusses of Aesculus californica were very dramatic set off against the lush greens of the various chaparral trees and shrubs.



Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum was prolific on the open, dry rocky slopes. This species created large swaths of yellow color that dotted the open slopes between the dense chaparral shrubbery.



At one site, I found an interesting Allium species. In general, it fit the description of Allium serra, a frequently seen species in this region. The foliage was flat, not rounded; however the remaining characteristic seemed to fit the species well. I have encountered unexpected Allium hybrids in the past, so this is one possible explanation for this plant. Unfortunately, there were only 3-4 plants that may have been clones, so no comparison could be made with other plants.

[Robert]

California Snowdrop Bush, Styrax redivivus, is gorgeous and also has fragrant flowers. When in bloom, this species is a striking component of the chaparral plant community.



Sharing the open slopes with Eriophyllum lanatum were masses of Gilia capitata ssp. capitata. 8 subspecies of Gilia capitata are found in California. Most of the subspecies have pale to medium blue-violet flowers, however subspecies tomentosa has bright blue-violet flowers. Subspecies tomentosa, too, can be found in the Inner Coastal Mountains, but I did not come across this subspecies on this outing.



On exposed rocky slopes Calystegia collina ssp. tridactylosa grew in especially difficult dry sites. This species generally does not trail as many other Calystegia species do, but rather grows as a small, low, tight bunch of gray tomentose foliage. The large white flowers are very showy.



The flowers of Cirsium occidentale ssp. venustum are quite showy. The phyllaries of this subspecies can be glabrous to somewhat cobwebby.



The various subspecies of Cirsium occidentale can sometimes be difficult to separate from one another. The foliage of subspecies venustum is a very attractive gray and can be moderately tomentose. Other forms of Cirsium occidentale can have phyllaries that are extremely cobwebby and foliage that is very tomentose.

[Robert]

Catching with several pages of your recent adventures Robert, and enjoying them immensely. We have been having a period of drought this spring more similar to your experiences in California - virtually no rain since early March (and less than 40% of our normal rainfall since the beginning of the year). Fortunately the weather has turned and the last few days have been wet! We have grown a few of the plants you show, especially Penstemon heterophyllus purdyi, which is superb. I once had small plants of Lomatium macrocarpum but if I try them again must make a coarse open scree for them akin to your picture. Thanks for an interesting evening.

Tim,

I have been very impressed with the range of Apiaceae I have seen in the Inner Coastal Mountains of Northern California. The forms of Lomatium macrocarpum with extremely tomentose foliage are first rate foliage plants. The glaucous foliage and flower heads of Lomatium californicum are dramatic. Angelica tomentosa is also very attractive. I have been conducting trials with various California Apiaceae species in our Sacramento garden. Some of the Lomatium species are doing quite well, but I have yet to bring them to blooming age. Still, I have been impressed with their adaptability. I have been surprised that Lomatium utriculatum has been tolerant of limited summer moisture while dormant, providing the soil drainage is excellent.

I believe there is tremendous potential with many of our native California Apiaceae species. We only need to work with them; select forms well adapted to our climatic and garden conditions; and develop domestic seed lines to unlock their genetic potential. I will do the best I can to promote this. Right now I am tied-down with work and will not be able to return to the coastal mountains until the first part of June. In addition, the winter snow is melting in the Sierra Nevada and I have several important projects that need my attention immediately after the snow melts. Anyway, I will post and/or PM results as I can.

[Robert]

The INNER COASTAL MOUNTAINS of NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BEAR VALLEY and INDIAN VALLEY REGIONS

Part III

Twining Brodiaea, Dichelostemma volubile, has globe-shaped heads of pink flowers. Their vining scapes can extend 1 meter or more in length placing their flower heads out in the open where pollinators can find them.



As I traveled on toward the ridge summit, each grassy clearing had it own unique mix of Calochortus species and hybrids. Calochortus superbus was the dominant species on the higher slopes.



Some of the plants exhibited varying degrees of introgression with Calochortus luteus. The picured blossom more or less matches Calochortus superbus, however the creamy yellow petals hint at the genetic influence of Calochortus luteus.



Eventually I reached the crest of the ridge, 2,181 feet (665 meters). As I descended into the opposite drainage, I found a different set of species as I explored the first meadow I encountered. I encountered some beautiful specimens of Iris macrosiphon that grew in scattered sites near the upper meadow.



The blooming Iris I observed produced blue-violet flowers with various markings. I encountered some excellent forms and was very impressed by them.

[Robert]

Out in the center of the meadow, Toxicoscordion fontanum was blooming in standing water joined by Carex species.



My route descended into a ravine where a number of springs and seeps opened along the route. The orchid, Epipactis gigantea, grew prolifically in the wet soil near the seeps or along (sometimes in) running water.

This species grows throughout the western U.S.A., however I rarely encounter it in the Sierra Nevada. The best stand that I know about in the Sierra Nevada is on a remote section of the West Branch of the Feather River. This colony, which I found in 1980, extends along the bank of the river for a considerable distance.

The black-purple foliage form, Epipactis gigantea forma rubrifolia was discovered by Roger Raiche at the Cedars, Sonoma County, California. He made the selection ‘Serpentine Night’ in 1982. At one time there was also a variegated form selected by Mr. Raiche called ‘Serpentine Candy’. ‘Serpentine Candy’ was evidently weak and is most likely no longer in existence.



Eventually I drove the Outback down a steep dirt track into the canyon. As the dirt track approached the creek I noticed an unusual coniferous forest on the other (north facing) side of the canyon. I parked the Outback and started hiking up the creek to investigated this forest.



As I hiked up the stream, I was very surprised to find Lilium pardalinum. In the distant past (1980’s-90’s) when I would visit my friend’s, somewhat nearby, ranch I spent days hiking his section of the Eel River Canyon looking for Lilium pardalinum, other lily species and Rhododendron occidentale. I never found Lilium pardalinum near his ranch, and even though I knew the species grew in this region, I was still somewhat surprised to find it along this creek.



The serpentine soil was quite leached in this area. The soil supported very few geophytes, annual, or perennial species. In most places the shrubbery was also somewhat sparse. I did encounter a few Styrax redivivus as I worked my way up stream.

[Robert]

Silene campaniulata ssp. glandulosa was one of the few perennials that grew on the forest floor. The arching flowering stems were quite attractive.



Packera greenei shared the open space with the Silene. I looked in vain for a specimen with an open flower, but never found one.



Travel along the creek was slow and at times a bit difficult, so I decided to work my way up through the open forest. Along this route I found mats of Eriogonum umbellatum. Without more information and some open flowers it was impossible for me to make a determination of the variety. I suspect it is variety bahiiforme as it is different (completely tomentose) from the specimens of variety smallianum that I had observed on Snow Mountain last year. I am sure it is one of the two varieties.



I found a few Iris macrosiphon in bloom as I moved up the slope. Most were not very robust. The soil conditions were likely very challenging.



As I moved up a steep slope of barren serpentine I found myself in the center of the Cypress forest. The species was Hesperocyparis sargentii, Sargent Cypress. I had definitely entered a surreal landscape. Much of the ground was barren broken serpentine rubble and lifeless soil. In many places, Sargent Cypress and Arctostaphylos viscida ssp. pulchella were the only species that could endure the harsh conditions.

[Robert]

Hesperocyparis sargentii is actually quite attractive. Even in this difficult environment the trees looked healthy and vigorous.



As I climbed higher, the landscape became increasingly desolate.



As I cleared the crest of the ridge there were areas that were nothing more than a moonscape. The ground looked devoid of plant life, however I did hike out (very carefully) into this wasteland to see what it was like. I did find one species growing in this sterile landscape, the rare serpentine endemic Streptanthus hesperidis.



Beyond this barren landscape, the surrounding slopes were once again clothed in chaparral species. In one ravine there was clearly a perennial source of water. It was another big surprise to find Rhododendron occidentale growing in this hostile environment.



The plants that were in bloom at this site were quite nice. All the plants I observed had a large bright yellow dorsal blotch. There was no sign of pink on the corolla tube, as I sometimes find among plants of this species in the Sierra Nevada. The interior forms of Rhododendron occidentale are quite different from those found on the coast in the summer fog belt. The plants from the interior most survive extreme summertime temperatures (40 C + at times) and very low humidity. Attempts at cultivating the coastal forms of R. occidentale in interior California usually fail.

[Hoy]

Very interesting once again! Although the summer is approaching here also it is not that many species in bloom yet and it is more or less the same species everywhere!

I found one which I rarely see though, Erodium cicutarium.

[Robert]

Temperatures a rising quickly now and the winter snow pack is melting rapidly. The snow is melting so quickly that a flood warning has been issued for the creeks and rivers flowing from the Sierra Nevada. I had a few hours of open time, so I traveled up toward the Crystal Range in El Dorado county, California to see for myself what the snow condition were like at Lyon's Creek.



Through the coniferous forest one can see that there is still a considerable snow pack on the high peaks.



Another view of the Crystal Range through the trees.



The road was blocked by snow at 5,802 feet, 1,768 meters. The Lyon's Creek trailhead is at approximately 6,800 feet, 2,073 meters. At the current rate of snow melt I will be able to drive to the trailhead in about 2-3 weeks.



I did not have any time for field botany, however I did see this patch of Fragaria virginiana in bloom as I drove down off the mountain.

[Robert]

Spring has arrived a this elevation level. The early blooming species, Arctostaphylos patula was in bloom.



"Spring" is progressing very quickly at this elevation. Ribes roezlii var. roezlii, also an early blooming species, has already gone over.

Very interesting once again! Although the summer is approaching here also it is not that many species in bloom yet and it is more or less the same species everywhere!

I found one which I rarely see though, Erodium cicutarium.

Trond,

Erodium cicutarium is a very common invasive species at lower elevations in Northern California. It certainly likes the warmer parts of Eurasia where it is native! I never see this species at high elevation sites in the Sierra Nevada.

A very persistent invasive species at higher elevations is Sheep Sorrel, Rumex acetosella. Above 5,000 feet the roadside is lined with this species in full bloom right now. There are actually books on the history of Wright's Lake and the adjoining Lyon's Creek area. Cattle grazing and dairy farming existed in the past, as well as sheep grazing. The dairy farm and the sheep grazing are part of the distant past, however I remember the cow bells when I first went to Lake Sylvia (Lyon's Creek drainage) in 1960. All animal grazing is prohibited now, however the Sheep Sorrel still remains. Other invasive species are slowly being crowded out as some (only some!    ) of the ecosystems recover. Sadly, new terribly noxious weeds are also being introduced via stock feed for horseback riding, commercial logging, and other means.

[hamparstum]

Hi Robert, both species Rumex acetosella and Erodium cicutarium are invasive here. The former is a noxious weed almost  impossible to erradicate in any cultivated bed . The latter is an adventitous weed only in the early part of spring and can cover quickly seedling beds. Its dissappears by mid summer. I can successfully remove the lattter. Both however only appear in cultivated/disturbed ground not in native grassland. ( mainly Stipa tenuis).
Needless to add how valuable your posting is to my own search. I was wondering about Hesperocyparis sargentii under cultivation. I grow H.glabra here as wind breaks. They reseed freely. They are very drought resistant. I would expect the same for H.sargentii, perhaps even more by your pics!

[Robert]

The INNER COASTAL MOUNTAINS of NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BEAR VALLEY and INDIAN VALLEY REGIONS

Part IV

After exploring the Sargent Cypress forest and the neighboring serpentine barrens, I drove down the dirt track to Indian Valley Reservoir. Here the serpentine bedrock transitioned over to the hopelessly scrambled assortment of rock known as the Franciscan Complex. Here almost any sedimentary rock can be found with oceanic basalt or serpentine. One outcropping can seem completely unrelated to the next. There were clear but subtle differences in the vegetation as I traveled into this geologic mélange.



I continued to see Calochortus superbus on the open grassy slopes. There were considerable differences in the petal markings with each individual plant.



In addition, Calochortus luteus x superbus hybrids still appeared scattered among the Calochortus superbus. Like the Franciscan mélange the Calochortus species seemed to be a jumbled mess.



With the change in the geology there was also a change in the flora. Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyi began to appear as I traveled westward.



I saw some very floriferous plants. From my experience working with Penstemon heterophyllus there still untapped potential in this species.

[Robert]

If time allowed, I hoped to explore the chaparral on the southern flank of Goat Mountain and the transition zone coniferous forest above the chaparral belt. In the distance, I could see the mixed Ponderosa Pine forest on the crest of the mountain.



As I traveled toward the North Fork of Cache Creek, the mix of plant species continued to change. On one slope I spotted scattered groupings of Eriogonum wrightii var. trachygonum mixed with blooming plants of Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum.



Chick Lupine, Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus, shared the slope with the Eriogonum. Chick Lupine followed me throughout this outing, mostly in its creamy yellow form. In Bear Valley there were pale lavender-blue forms and on Bear Creek before entering Bear Valley I also observed Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus.



If I was going to explore the lower flanks of Goat Mountain, I needed to cover some territory quickly. I drove off on the dirt track up the North Fork of Cache Creek hoping to reach the junction with a forest service road that connected to the Goat Mountain area. There were interesting plants to see everywhere and I stopped frequently to check to flora of a meadow or promising looking slope. One meadow was full of a pale lavender form of Delphinium hesperium ssp. pallescens in full bloom.



Some of the meadows were still wet with pools of standing water in places. The ground was quite rich and Trifolium willdenovii grew in thick, lush stands. The species was almost unrecognizable compared to the lean plants I generally see in rocky but seasonally moist chaparral settings.